Senior Pharmacist-Senior Antimicrobial Stewardship/Research Clinical Pharmacist

Job summary

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

This role will lead on research for clinical pharmacy services for tackling antimicrobial resistance especially antimicrobial stewardship interventions as well as pharmacy input to outbreaks and incidents for which medicines or medicinal products are involved. The role sits within the AMR Programme, ESPAUR, Stewardship, Sepsis, coinfections and evaluation Section (PROGRESS). The post-holder will focus on theme 3 of the Oxford Health Protection Research Units but will also be exposed to high-level interaction and decision-making within UKHSA, the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS. Working with different teams and departments across UKHSA and other organisations, including NHS AMR national and regional leads. A key working group for this role will be the English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Usage and Resistance (ESPAUR). The post will work across research, public health policy, organisation strategy, operational delivery and change management to support UKHSA objectives.

This post is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) as part of its establishment of number of HPRUs in key priority areas. The HPRU in HCAI & AMR is a multi-disciplinary partnership between the UKHSA and the University of Oxford, that will to continue to find original and creative ways to combat the major threats posed by healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance, in strong collaboration with representatives of patients, the public and the NHS.

Job description

Under the leadership of the AMR Lead Pharmacist, this role will:

• Co-lead on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) research priorities and publications identified through the UKHSA-Oxford HPRU and the National Action Plan on AMR.
• Carry out critical appraisal and synthesis of the outcomes of relevant international research, evaluation and audit to identify gaps in the evidence base to improve pharmacy and AMS service delivery and therapeutic pathways.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to design and plan pharmacy and medicine-related [research related activities] employing suitable methodologies to evaluate service impact and patient outcomes.
• Deliver on research objectives by participating in or jointly leading pharmacy or AMS research related activity that applies principles of governance and legal frameworks that demonstrate the highest regard for participant’s rights and safety, and data integrity.
• Contribute to or lead research related activity through application of appropriate methods for gathering, analysing, interpreting and presenting data and information.
• Undertake and contribute to appropriate evaluations and national surveys in relation to AMS activities including those related to pharmaceutical public health and tackling health inequalities.
• Analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative evidence base to develop and update interventions for key stakeholder groups including healthcare professionals, educators and the general public.

This list is not exhaustive.

The postholder will have responsibilities in the following areas:

• Evidence, interventions and evaluation
• Research
• Service Delivery
• Patient and Population Care
• Clinical Responsibilities
• Staff management

The post-holder will also lead on increasing research capacity which will require them to address any approved requests from UKHSA for additional research needed to assist them in fulfilling their role to protect the public and improve the nation’s health. This might include, for example, the investigation of an unexpected surge or outbreak.

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA.

Person specification

Essential role criteria:

• Masters qualification in Pharmacy, or equivalent qualification, plus 1-year pre-registration training and experience
• Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or Pharmacy Practice or equivalent
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Specialist training in medicines management and research methods
• Evidence of Continuing Professional development in research
• Specialist professional knowledge of effective medicines optimisation and safe management of medicines in primary, secondary and/or social care services
• A thorough understanding of NHS policies, processes, structures, systems and clinical practices
• Provision of pharmacist cover in primary or secondary care including Multidisciplinary working and/or ward round experience
• Experience of writing, preparing and presenting scientific reports/peer reviewed publications
• Experience of working successfully within complex political environments at local / regional / national levels
• Experience of leading the successful design and delivery of evaluation activities across a programme and research projects
• Understanding of the role of the UKHSA and its relationships with key stakeholders, including the full range of partner agencies in the health and social care arena
• Experience of promotion of the rational use of antimicrobials
• Demonstrable experience of successfully delivering education and training to undergraduates and postgraduates of various healthcare professions
• Audit and / or practice research experience
• Experience of policy, guideline and service development
• Managing and leading staff, that may include scientific and technical staff, including working under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Ability to interpret and analyse highly complex information, translate it into actionable insights and present it appropriately for the intended audience
• Influencing and negotiating in multidisciplinary settings and ability to affect and manage change with an ability to motivate others
• Ability to communicate with and work effectively with national experts from a range of professions

Desirable role criteria:

• Demonstrable public health/health services research experience at an advanced level
• Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• Working towards Advanced Practice or Consultant Pharmacist Credentialing
• Experience of working with and demonstrable understanding of a range of research methods
• Networking, promoting and developing external collaborations

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. UKHSA's ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Selection Process Details (Competency based)

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 20 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1500 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile Meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• Experience of leading the successful design and delivery of research projects and evaluation activities across a programme

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a single remote interview.

Experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview

You will be asked to prepare and present a short presentation at the start of your interview. The subject of this will be about a mixed methods research project, that the candidate has led. Including a final slide that provides insight into their research publications to date.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

For Fixed term posts

If you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our core HQ in Canary Wharf, London. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month)working at our office. Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.

Eligibility Criteria– External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK

The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here:Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Careers website

Please visit our careers site for more information UKHSA Hub , Civil Service Careers

NHS Pension

This role is offered under Agenda for Change (AFC) Terms and Conditions.

• If you are already on AFC T&Cs or accept the role on a fixed-term contract, you will be enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme or keep your current AFC Pension.

• If you take the role on a loan or temporary promotion, you will retain your existing substantive T&Cs.

• If the role is available under either AFC or Civil Service T&Cs depending on your registration, your pension scheme will align accordingly.

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

AfC Band 8b £64,455 - £74,896 plus inner London HCAS payment.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Nigel Poole
• Email : Nigel.Poole@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website here.